Overview

Xilica Room Templates are project files (.pjxml) for the Solaro QR1 audio processors. They simplify the installation of room systems using beamforming microphones, including Follow Me Camera tracking based on beam angle information from ceiling microphones. These templates are open source and can be customized.

Room Template Features

Xilica Room Templates include advanced features to deliver simplified installation and exceptional user experiences. These features include:

Follow Me Camera Preset Recall

When used with compatible beam-forming microphones, on-board Solaro control automatically recalls PTZ camera presets based on who is speaking in the room using microphone beam angle information.

These templates are specific to each manufacturer’s microphone and currently only support one beamforming microphone per template for Follow Me camera preset recall.

Audio Features

The audio schematic design has been developed by Xilica, field tested and includes features to deliver exceptional performance in hybrid classrooms and conference rooms.

HearClear™ Acoustic Echo Cancellation

Eliminates far-end echo for a seamless and disruption-free meeting.

MS Teams Compatible HID Volume/Mute Sync

Xilica HID Mute sync, available through the Xilica USB card, enables synchronization of volume control and mute status between the Solaro QR1, PC, Mac and Microsoft Teams, simplifying the experience for the room user.

Microphone Processing

Advanced processing features to ensure that the near-end participants are heard clearly by those that are remote.

Loudspeaker EQ and Processing

Optimizes far-end audio when using Sonia ceiling speakers.

User Interface

A room user interface design is included in the template and provides the user with convenient controls for their meeting room or classroom, as well as pages for the technician with access to advanced room setting adjustments eliminating the need to open Xilica Designer and make changes in the configuration file.

he Room User screen provides volume control and room audio level meters, as well as PTZ camera controls, including the ability to enable and disable Follow Me camera tracking. The USB Device Name for the Solaro Device is configurable in the template and is shown on the User screen to assist the room user in selecting the correct USB device in BYOD room scenarios.

Three hidden technician screens are also included and can be accessed by swiping up on the touchscreen from the bottom and selecting the screens icon.

These screens are password-protected for technician access and the password is listed in the room template file notes located by double-clicking on the Title Block in the template Project View. These screens enable technicians to adjust audio settings and diagnose issues directly in the room without having to open the Xilica Designer software. 

USB Audio Advanced Settings

Helpful in diagnosing any issues related to USB audio and provides access to change USB program and microphone audio.

Room Audio Advanced Settings

Contains settings to optimize the Sonia loudspeaker EQ for speech or music, as well as a graphic EQ to tailor the sound to the specific room. Room Acoustic settings are also available for optimizing the audio to the far-end based on room acoustics:

1. Dry: Good performing room with reverberation time (RT60) = 700 ms or less.

2. Moderate: Somewhat reverberant room, with RT60 in the range of 800-1200ms.

3. Reflective: highly reverberant space with RT60 > 1200 ms.

Solaro Audio Meters

This screen is very helpful in diagnosing overall audio system performance, with audio level meters for all audio channels in, through and out of the Solaro DSP.

Getting Started

How to Access the Templates

The Xilica Room Templates are accessed through Xilica Designer. Upon opening Xilica Designer, navigate to File > Open Project Templates. On first use, it will be necessary to select the option to Load Room Templates. Once this step is completed, all Room Templates will be listed in this menu option. Select the template based on which microphone is being used, and then Xilica Designer will open the template in Project View. 

How to install a system using a Xilica Room Template

To install a system using a Room Template, install the beamforming microphone, PTZ Camera as well as the Xilica Solaro QR1 (and XT80 if being used) and connect the devices to the network.

Connect a laptop to the same network and ensure that the Xilica devices are shown in Network View.

Open the Room Template in Project View and map the devices’ IP addresses by right clicking on the device in Project View, and then entering the device’s IP address. Do this for the microphone, PTZ Camera, Solaro QR1, Sonia Amp, and XT80 (if used). Note that microphone may require two IP addresses (one for Dante, and one for control).

Once all devices’ IP addresses are mapped, click ‘Load Design to Device(s)’ to download the project file to the QR1.

At this point, the system is ready for Follow Me Camera Tracking configuration.

Configuring Follow Me Camera Tracking

All control code for Xilica Follow Me Camera preset recall is included in the Room Template, and is configured using the Follow Me Configuration UI in the Room Template Designer file: 

After loading the template file to devices and entering Online Control Mode, open the Follow Me Configuration UI by double-clicking on the UI module as shown above. A description of the settings in Follow Me and setup instructions are below. 

Configure Follow Me Settings:

1. Follow Me Enable/Disable: this control button enables or disables the FollowMe camera tracking. This button may be used in a Room User UI to allow for switching between camera auto tracking and room user control of the in room PTZ camera. Disable Follow Me for initial configuration.

2. Enable Configuration: enables the ability to adjust parameters for Follow Me. Click this button to begin configuration (system must be in online control mode).

3. Number of Zones: configures the number of zones for the room based on the microphone’s horizontal angle within a 360-degree circle. Selecting the number of zones will automatically configure the start and end angle of each zone for the room. 

4. PTZ Reaction Delay (seconds): this setting adds delay for switching the PTZ camera to a new preset after audio is detected in another location. Set this to 4 seconds for initial testing.

5. Silence Detection (seconds): after this delay, the PTZ camera switches back to the home position, providing the far-end participants a wide-angle view of the room when no one is speaking. Set this to 6 seconds for initial testing.

6. Audio Level Threshold (dB): sets the noise floor for silence detection to switch the camera to the home position as described above, as well as a minimum audio level from an alternative beam angle location before starting the PTZ reaction delay clock for switching the camera preset. A meter is provided for reference in setting this parameter. Using the level slider, adjust the level slightly above the ambient room audio level as shown in the meter to ensure there are not false triggers.

7. Far-End Audio Detect (dB): set this threshold as the noise-floor for far-end audio. Far-End Audio detect is used to hold the PTZ camera in place during far-end audio, preventing false triggers from microphone beam angles when far-end audio is playing through the loudspeakers in the room.

Train Camera Positions:

Camera preset numbers are aligned to talker zones. Use the procedure below to properly configure the camera presets based on the beamforming microphone zone:

1. Take the system online, and open the module for the PTZ camera by double-clicking on the camera module in the project template, and position the PTZ driver UI next to the Room configuration UI as shown below 

2. Disable Follow Me and Enable Configuration.

3. Select the desired number of zones, PTZ reaction delay and the number of seconds for silence detection before the camera returns to the home position.

4. Make sure the room is quiet and move to the first talker location in the room you would like to configure.

5. Begin speaking and note the Zone number that is active in the Room UI. Use the pan and zoom controls in the PTZ camera UI to position the camera to correctly frame the talker position. Save this preset by clicking on the Save Preset number in the PTZ camera UI that aligns to this talker position. For example, if the talker position is number 4, click on the number 4 in the PTZ camera UI Save Preset section.

6. Repeat this process for each talker position (zone).

7. Set the home position by using the pan and zoom controls on the PTZ camera to frame the entire room and save this to preset 24 in the PTZ camera Save Preset section.

8. Click ‘Disable Configuration’ once complete and prevent changes to parameters during operation. 

Testing Follow Me Camera Tracking

Once the configuration is complete, it is important to test with a far-end participant to ensure that all parameters are correctly set and that a good experience is obtained for the far-end participant.

1. It is recommended to have a second person in the conference room for testing and preset switching.

2. Setup a video conference with a far-end participant using Zoom, Microsoft Teams or other UC software.

3. Make sure the system is online and that Follow Me camera tracking is active.

4. Check that the camera moves to the Home position with everyone in the conference room and the far-end silent.

5. Move to a pre-specified talker position and begin speaking. The camera should move to the corresponding preset after the PTZ Reaction Delay.

6. Check the PTZ switching delay by having a person in a separate talker zone begin speaking. The camera should switch to the second talker after the PTZ

switching delay. Adjust the PTZ switching delay as needed for desired performance.

7. Have everyone in both the room and the far-end be silent, and make sure the camera returns to the Home position after the specified Silence Detection time. Adjust the Silence Detection setting to return to Home position as needed for desired performance.

8. Once testing is complete, save the Xilica Designer configuration file.

Changing PTZ Cameras

The Xilica Room Templates are developed for specific beamforming microphones and utilize standard VISCA-IP cameras. To modify the template and use another camera in Xilica’s driver list, please follow the procedure below:

1. Open the desired Xilica Room Template

2. Remove the current camera in the template and drag a new one in (here, we are removing the Lumens camera and replacing with AVer) 

3. Open the AVer camera module and the Project Controller schematic as shown below, and delete the Preset Recall and Preset Save control blocks from the Room Template control schematic: 

4. Control Click Recall Preset 1 in the new camera driver, and drag into the control schematic, placing the control block in the same position as the previous Preset Recall control block. Connect the control pin of the Preset Recall control block to the Output Pin of the Camera reset trigger as shown above.

5. It is currently not necessary to replace the Save Preset block in the template.

6. Save the file.

7. Configure and test Xilica Follow Me as listed in the previous sections. 

For any further assistance, please feel free to contact support@xilica.com.